Visit the Energy Systems Laboratory Homepage.
Case Study: Sick Building Syndrome in a Humid Climate
Abstract
An indepth environmental investigation was conducted at a four-story
building officing 1200 employees in Oklahoma. A
preassessment and walkthrough of the facility revealed extensive
ongoing renovations throughout the building. Renovations
consisted of installations of new partitions, carpeting, ceiling tiles,
and repainting. Management was receiving numerous complaints
related to the indoor air quality from all parts of the building,
particularly the unrenovated areas. The majority of employee
complaints originated from the unrenovated second floor; in
contrast, few complaints had been submitted from the finished
fourth floor area. Due to the disparity in employee complaints
from these two floors, the investigation focused on a comparison
of the air quality on the second and fourth floors.
The initial walkthrough revealed inordinate amounts of dust in the
occupied space of the second floor. High humidity levels were
measured throughout the building. Other potential problems --
i.e., poor lighting, job stress, poor air circulation, stuffy air, thermal
discomfort. smokers in the area --were also noted at this point.
Questionnaires were made available to occupants on both floors
to attain a better understanding of employee problems and assist
in formulating an investigation plan. Collectively the nonspecificity
of the responses tended to indicate building-related problems
often described by the term ''Sick Building Syndrome" (SBS).
Based on the questionnaire responses, the walkthrough
observations, and the lack of specific illnesses, the investigation
focused on identification of and testing for sources of chemical
and particulate emissions and possible inadequacies of the
mechanical ventilation system in providing the necessary amount
of outside air. Although the building investigation revealed few
signs of biological contamination, problems of this nature are not
uncommon in climates with high humidity. The potential for
biological proliferation in buildings with excessive humidity are
discussed in the paper.
The SBS causation was multifactorial and thus could not be
attributed to a single etiologic factor. Temperature and humidity
problems were partially attributed to the inadequate provision of
chilled water (at a low enough temperature) to ensure proper
tempering and dehumidification of the supply air. These periodic
excursions in temperature and relative humidity were
compounded by an associated reduction in outside air which
exacerbated the situation. Other recommendations had to do with
improving the filtration system, balancing of the air handling
system, improving the ventilation efficiency, separation of
smokers and nonsmokers, and the infusion of a fastidious
cleaning and maintenance program combined with an adequate
supply of fresh air per ASHRAE 62-89 specifications.
Citation
Shaughnessy, R. J.; Levetin, E. (1990). Case Study: Sick Building Syndrome in a Humid Climate. Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu); Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu). Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /6603.